R&B singer Chris Brown has sharply criticized Texas state Rep. Venton Jones after the lawmaker apologized for honoring the performer alongside Rep. Jasmine Crockett during a concert.
Jones praised Brown, the “Run It!” singer, and tour partner Usher with a congressional proclamation as the pair performed Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Democratic lawmaker later sought to distance himself from the tribute after facing backlash over the decision to honor Brown, who was convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
“Keep that award,” Brown told Jones, who represents Texas’ 100th House District, on Tuesday, according to Fox 4.
Brown accused the 42-year-old politician of “tap dancing” and alleged that Jones apologized because he feared losing votes ahead of the November elections.
The 37-year-old singer also said he had never sought recognition from the state.
“Funny thing is yall came to me with this!” Brown wrote on his Instagram Stories. “Not the other way around.”
“I was minding my damn business. My shows in Dallas were already sold out.”
“I ain’t ask to be honored because I knew some s–t like this would happen.”
Brown’s pointed response came after Jones said he had been “reflective” following the criticism over the decision to recognize the singer.
“First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the women, the black women, whom my actions have hurt,” Jones wrote in a letter shared Tuesday.
“In moments like these, I think it’s important to be specific and just as loud with an apology as our original actions were. I apologize. You are the backbone of our community, our families, and our democracy.”
“Far too often we continue to ask that you carry the heaviest burdens, lead our fights, and navigate spaces where your safety and lived realities are sidelined. My decision was another moment that perpetrated this.”
Jones also apologized to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
“Your trust and support are invaluable to me and I never take lightly how my decisions impact you.”
Jones claimed he wanted to acknowledge Brown’s R&B career ahead of November’s elections, where he will face off against Republican challenger Jordan Hoffnagle.
The politician also apologized to domestic violence victims during a sit-down with the former CNN host Don Lemon.
“It was not my intention to be able to stoke the traumas … as well as the background of this situation,” he said.
Despite clashing with Jones, Brown thanked Crockett and apologized for any backlash she might face.
“I’m not political but I move off of frequency and energy and I’m so grateful. Once again, thank you,” he wrote online.
Crockett and Jones honored Brown – despite his well-documented legal troubles.
In July, Brown pleaded guilty to an affray charge over a 2023 nightclub attack, where he struck music producer Abe Diaw with a tequila bottle.
He will be sentenced on Oct. 26 and the charge carries a maximum prison term of three years.
Brown, who won his first Grammy in 2011, was charged with misdemeanor assault in 2013 over an attack outside a Washington DC hotel. He pleaded guilty the following year.
In 2019, he was arrested in Paris and questioned on suspicion of rape before being released without charge.
With Post wires
